1. How to get rid of Bats | A Step by Step Guide

If bats have taken up residence in your home, you may be looking for ways to get rid of them. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to evict bats from your home and keep them from returnin

1. Identify the entry and exit points as well as any other potential points of entry.
   1. Peaks at the roof-line
      1. Generally this a common area – usually you will see a brown dirty spot.
   2. Dormer returns
      1. Left and right side where it returns back to meet the roof
   3. Inside & outside corners
      1. Valley flashing and damaged soffets
   4. Gaps at the overhang of the roof edge where it meets the brick wall
      1. Yes bats can fit into anything that you can put a finger into!
      2. 3/8 inch gaps
   5. Chimney cap covers
      1. The metal covers are often put on with enough overhang to allow entry
   6. Missing bricks
      1. Presents large openings
   7. Shutters
      1. They can get behind these as well and can be difficult to seal the perimiter
   8. Ridge-cap covers along their length and end caps
      1. If guano/droppings are found in the attic running in a line directly under it this is a good indicator.
   9. Log cabins
      1. Log ends and intersections are the most common places to look
   10. Metal roofs provide many end openings
       1. Usually there is a foam piece installed but not always, the corners are the most common as there isn’t a specific closure for this area on a metal roof.
2. Seal non use areas
   1. Once the primary entry and exits have been determined seal off the other areas to prevent bats from using those once you have installed the one-way doors.
   2. Use matching materials to perform the sealing we recommend mortar repair or caulking with a sanded finish for brick to vinyl sealing. For dormer or roof returns we recommend metal flashing with roofing caulk to seal these areas.
   3. For chimneys fire retardant caulk or roofing caulk designed for high heat.
3. Install one-way doors
   1. One way doors can be bat cones or netting
   2. Make sure they are secure, we often use gorilla tape because it holds well.
   3. Leave these doors in place for 7-10 days longer if it drops below 50 degrees a couple of those nights. As long as the cones and or netting is in place they cannot get back in. It is highly recommended that you observe them trying to do it and you will be able to see if it is working.
4. Once the bats are completely gone
   1. you can remove your one-way doors and perform the final sealing
   2. Now you can begin the clean-up process which could involve removing soiled insulation.
   3. If the bats were behind a brick wall you may not be able to reach the guano and perform a cleanup without significant cost and destruction. Sometimes it is better not to disturb it and to simply seal and encapsulate it.
5. Final thoughts
   1. There is a lot of work and experience that goes into a bat removal process
   2. Hiring a professional makes much more sense
   3. Hiring a professional can save you time and money
   4. Bat work is often at heights, this can be dangerous all by itself.
   5. Experience in this field is paramount
   6. There are certification classes offered for professionals, ask anyone you hire if they any training or certifications.

1. What Are Bats Found In Your House?

Bats are found in many types of homes, but always layer up with extra precautions. Ever heard a squeak from above your bathroom or attic?

They can be found in most homes almost anywhere, but are most often found in attics, bathrooms, crawl spaces, wall voids or occasionally ornamental hanging items on the porch.

Some bats exceed the size of house cats and are extremely scary to watch, with wingspan radius of about three feet. Luckily here in Louisiana we don’t have that species of bat. But many species are smaller and docile and can be helpful. This is the kind of bat we do have around here, beneficial bats!

Some bats actually hang out in trees during daytime and come home at night by flying silently. Our local bat population is the exact reverse. We have two basic species of bats that roost in homes, the Free-Tailed Bat and the Evening Bat and they stay in the roost during the day and fly out at night, returning in the early morning hours.

While these nocturnal creatures are easy to spot flying around in the night sky and welcome a nice buffet if left alone, they can leave behind a disgusting mess when in groups and will not likely attack if you give them a chance. they can also be identified by the tremendous odor they usually have with them due to their urine. The guano or bat-poop actually doesn’t have an odor unless it is urine soaked.

Many predators, like mice, rats, snakes and birds, especially owls thrive on bats. If you have been seeing an owl hanging around this may be an indication that a bat roost is nearby.

When should you remove bats from your home?

Moving bats out of your home now is the safest way to avoid an expensive clean-up process, the sooner you get rid of them the better. After relocation, you need to make sure the bats are completely gone and the house is sealed up 100% to help prevent a future bat problem.

Make sure they’re evicted into a suitable environment, not a bucket or some other bat trap! 

1. Do not use bat traps, as you cannot relocate an animal that can travel 300-500 miles in a night.

2. Remove Glue Boards. Glue boards are of no use for hundreds of bats even if you do manage to capture a few.

3. Do not go into your attic at night. Bats may be flying around and wind up getting into the living space with you.

4. Close the Windows. While bats have no interest in being inside they can inadvertently fly in.

5. Shutters are often nearby windows and they can get behind them to roost.

2. What Factors Are Involved in the Dispersion of House Bats?

Firstly, research the building and its location. The bats need access to a clear flight path unobstructed by nearby trees. Tree obstructions almost always deter bats during roost selection. When looking for possible bat roosts, always start with the peaks at the soffet area, often by a brick wall. There will be a dirty spot most of the time indicating this area as a place that they may be hanging out. Next check the dormers, bats usually select the place where the overhang on the dormer returns back to the roof-line. In this corner they can gain access. In this first step we need to identify where the bats are. Sometimes you can smell the bat urine inside the house on one particular area. I would concentrate my efforts on the exterior roof-line adjacent the room that has the strongest odor.

You may need to turn off your A/C for a few minutes walk outside and then walk back in to help pin-point the strongest smelling room because sometimes the whole house will smell of urine. There are many places that the smell is strong not only inside but outside as well.

Once you are fairly certain you have found the potential bat entry/exit point you should plan on getting up early to actually watch the bats return home in the morning. This early morning bat watch will alert you to any other places that the bats might be using.

Often time the entry point faces a break of open water, bat colonies like nearby watering holes to get a drink of water when they emerge. Bats can sense activity outside of the roost such as an owl, if they sense impending danger or an approaching predator they may take awhile to exit. It is important that your infestation is contained to a relatively small area, as bats are a unique species and are sensitive to the size of their roosting space.

Once the entry/exit points are realized, any other potential places must be sealed prior to installing one-way doors which will allow the bats to exit and not be able to return to the roost. The materials and methods vary on the exact location of the bats. For instance, we may use matching caulking called mortar repair to seal the gap between the brick and vinyl siding over-hang. In the case of a dormer return we use metal flashing. At the top of fire place metal caps we may use a fire retardant caulking, or one that can resist the hot temperatures of the roof climate. Once the potential entry points are sealed then we can setup the one way doors called bat cones. If the entry point is a large wide gap we may use netting instead to allow for an easy exit over a large area.

Finally, if your not sure of what you are doing or want it done right give us a call!

3. What Symptoms Can You Notice to See if Bats Are in Your House?

There are some noticeable symptoms to look for if bats are in your home or choosing another area to call home.

Moth balls in your attic, garden or garage can indicate to me that there are bats in your house. These should be avoided at all costs as they do not work unless there are sufficient quantities and by that I mean more than you could stand as well.

Exhaust, noise and odor also are other good things to look at on your suspicion list for bats. Some of these are more obvious than others.

On the lower floor, if your neighbors hear bat noises, or actually see them flying out of your house at night this could be an indication that you have bats.

Screams and yelling in your house because a bat is flying around inside the home generally indicates to me that you probably have a bat roost. People always assume that a single bat may have just flown due to an open door and this is not likely the case.

4. How and When Do You Really Need to Get Rid of Bats?

No one wants to check and smell to find out that the furry mammals living in their house is a bat, but this odor will affect the value of your home. Nobody wants to buy a home with the smell of bat urine in the air

It is suggested by the health authorities and wildlife organizations to get rid of bats from a residence due to histo spores possibly being released into the air handling units as well as the possibility of a bite from a bat who even though timid may bite or scratch someone. A bat bite is a real concern and rabies protocol must be followed as even today in this modern age rabies is still incurable once the symptoms onset.

Bats are not flying squirrels who use their wings and hinges of their skulls to fly from here to there. I hear all kinds of messed up ideas as to what bats are or are not. bats are not vermin, or insects, they are mammals.

They can adjust themselves to widely different variations and conditions of temperature but prefer heat. Hence, even if they are flying in the daytime or night, their temperature will naturally adjust to the sufficient temperature for sustaining them but they will most likely choose an area that is on the southern facing area of the house to catch the evening hours sunlight and heat up the brick wall. Our local bats ideal temperature is about 105 degrees to raise their young so yes they like it hot, hot, hot!

Appreciation of these flying creatures can help reduce insects in our area, they also actually pollinate sugar cane.

Moreover, they reduce the amount of pesticides used in agriculture.

As a result, bats are believed to be awesome if you permit them to coexist with you and exit in their natural habitat.

When can you safely evict bats?

DO NOT:

• Apply Moth Balls: Bats groom themselves often, and they do not like to taste chemicals and neither would you.

• Use Repellents: Repellents simply do not work for bats in a roost, the best solution is to allow them to exit naturally. Repellents can be, noise, light, or chemical. None of these are truly effective and 99% of the time completely ineffective and a waste of money.

5. What Makes Bats A Natural Part of Life?

“Bats are found all over the world and can be beneficial when they are allowed to freely fly, but educate yourself to best take advantage of them”. Bats are animals that are overlooked and misunderstood, as they are often considered pests.

In certain places in the country, bats have a normal home, with food. The most optimal places for a bat is a barn or any place that allows them safety from owls and snakes.

The first sign of bats in the house happens when they invade the living space. Funny though, they soon find out they have made a huge mistake with no food in the air. they often tend to go towards water. They are found in the tub, the sink and sometimes a bucket of water.

Bats are beneficial in that they provide pest control in a natural way.

6. What Can You Do if You Find Bats in Your House?

7. What Steps Can You Take To Deter Bats

If you have a bat infestation or discover that you are currently infested, do not despair!

Many people have the misconception that they cannot remove bats from their homes and amenity.

After all, what successful homeowner likes the unpleasant feeling of hearing them flapping their wings above your head?

However, after thinking about the steps involved in eradicating bats “once and for all” from your home, you might be interested in utilizing the outline below.

Since bats are nocturnal in nature, most people assume that the nighttime is the optimal time to undertake your bat removal. This is wrong, and not the best way to get rid of bats. You must set everything up so that when it does turn to nighttime the bats can successfully leave and not return.

You may successfully evict bats from your property by undertaking these simple steps:

First things first: you should thoroughly inspect your exterior surfaces, such as walls, for rotting planks of wood. If so, this should give you some greater instinct for what parts of your property may be infested.Check all corners and peaks for dark brown dirty spots, noises like chirps can often be heard in the area.

Second, if you do not see the bats dropping out of anywhere but still see them flying around plan on watching for the bats returning in the early morning hours.

Third, start your sealing right away of any areas that could be used but are not.

Bats are a great way to get rid of pesky insects but sometimes they can be a little too much. This guide will show you how to get rid of bats in an easy step by step process.